Patna: A high-level review meeting was held in Patna to address the damaged section of the Vikramshila Setu, with the aim of restoring traffic at the earliest. The meeting was chaired by Road Construction Department Secretary Pankaj Kumar Pal, who directed officials to speed up repair and traffic restoration work.
Focus on Immediate Traffic Restoration
Officials discussed urgent measures to ease public inconvenience caused due to the damaged bridge span. The key proposal includes construction of a Bailey bridge and a truss bridge to ensure partial and alternative traffic movement.
The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) will assist in building the Bailey bridge on a priority basis, while technical experts are working on the execution plan.
Authorities said the primary goal is to restore at least partial traffic flow as soon as possible.
Read also: Bihar Clears $500 Million World Bank-Assisted Urban Transformation Program to Modernize Cities
Vikramshila Setu: A Lifeline for Bhagalpur Region
The Vikramshila Setu is considered a lifeline for Bhagalpur and nearby districts. Officials stressed that restoring movement on the bridge is crucial for daily commuters, trade, and emergency services.
Secretary Pankaj Kumar Pal said that public inconvenience will be minimized by initiating temporary traffic arrangements while permanent repairs continue.
Parallel Construction of Truss Bridge
Along with the Bailey bridge, a two-lane truss bridge will be constructed simultaneously. This bridge will also include a separate arrangement for pedestrians.
The target is to complete the truss bridge within two months, ensuring long-term traffic stability in the region.
IIT Patna Conducting Safety Audit
A technical team from Indian Institute of Technology Patna is conducting a detailed safety audit of the entire bridge structure. The report is expected within three weeks and will guide decisions regarding long-term repair, strengthening, and redesign of the bridge.
Strict Monitoring and Fast-Track Execution
The Road Construction Department has instructed engineers and officials to remain stationed at the site to ensure continuous monitoring and rapid execution of repair work.
Secretary Pal clearly stated that any delay or negligence in restoration work will not be tolerated.
Technical Experts and Agencies Involved
The review meeting included participation from:
- Border Roads Organisation (BRO)
- IIT Patna technical team
- Senior bridge engineering experts
- Departmental officials
All stakeholders are working together to prepare an action plan for immediate and long-term solutions.
Vikramshila Setu Repair: Key Takeaway
The Bihar government is prioritizing both temporary traffic restoration through Bailey bridge construction and long-term structural repair via truss bridge development and safety audit recommendations to ensure smooth and safe connectivity over the Vikramshila Setu.
Read also: Bihar Cabinet Approves 219.51 km Road Network to Boost Connectivity and Ease Patna Traffic
